So the next day like planned James loaded up the tools and few trinkets he'd made the past month into a wagon along with the little spare gold he could afford to take with him for the long three day journey to the nearest large city, Silverton City. It was a large majestic city that often bought all of his little nicknacks and trinkets while leaving the tools behind. In fact the only ones who ever bought the tools where the servants and only when they'd scrapped up enough earnings to afford them so he often gave them a discount unless their lords where paying which was rare.
Well for the journey to town nothing ever happened it was almost as if the bandits knew all he had was useless junk to sell because he thought he'd seen a few glimpses of eyes watching him from the dark yet no one struck or attacked. It was almost as if they were scared or just waiting for a bigger prize.
So upon entering the city he figured it would be best to get ride of his wares first and then seek out a wiseman before stocking up on new supplies. This way he wouldn't have to leave his wagon unattended while full of goods. As for the gold he'd keep that on him at all times. Once in the market he headed for the little stall like booth that was set up to be his every month as arranged by the city government. Now he did have to rent the space but since he was usually only there for a day it was cheaper then others paid for their booths.
By lunch time he'd sold out of the little trinkets and decorative items he'd made and even a few tools but it just must've been a hard month because not many of the servants where able to swing buy. So with a sigh James figured he'd best close up shop if he was going to have time to seek council of a wiseman and still buy supplies before leaving for the long trip home. Just then a small black haired dwarf with green eyes approached his booth and looked him square in the eyes to the point that he almost scared him a bit. The dwarf was only wearing tattered leather gear and looked as if he might rob James who'd slowly reached for the sword he kept near by for protection.
"No need for that lad I mean ya no harm." half laughed half coughed the dwarf as he gestured towards the hidden sword. "I can smell the unique silver and emerald dust mixture that is used in forging Vulparian Weapons. Though you don't smell of it which tells me its a family treasure."
"What can I do for you sir?" asked James he knew his father's old sword was special but not like that. He also knew not to trust a dwarf they're always trying to sniff out treasure.
"Well no other venders in this crummy city sell good quality tools crafted by the paws of a well trained smith but I know the tools you self the servants of this town don't break as much as the other garbage these merchants call tools." replied the dwarf.
"So you wish to buy one of my digging tools?" asked James confused on why this dwarf was approaching the subject in such a strange way.
"No lad I wish to buy all of them and I'm willing to pay the top price for them." replied the dwarf as he placed a large bag of gold on Jame's counter which caught him way off guard. Dwarves are known for being stingy and greedy this one was acting nothing like a normal dwarf.
"Sir?" asked James a bit puzzled at the dwarfs actions.
"Lad get the soot out of ye ear. I said I want all of the tools you got left and I'm willing to pay top coin for them." explained the Dwarf as he started to get frustrated at James.
"I heard you the first time its just normally-" started James only to be cut off by the dwarf.
"Normally we dwarfs are stingy and greedy but I have big plans for your tools. Lots of digging and cant afford to be coming back to this dump every time a shovel breaks." snapped the Dwarf. "So do we have a deal?"
"Yes sir I meant no offense." replied James as he handed the dwarf the last of his wares and with a smile took the gold before pausing and adding, "Sir this is too much gold for the purchase."
"It is but I also over heard ya saying that ye have a new little one to care fer so what's a little extra gold so as ye can make sure next month when ya come he ye save aside a few tools for me." replied the dwarf as he smiled and went on his way with a small cart of my tools.
James then quickly cleaned up his booth and put the gold in his wagon it was way more then he could carry so with a sigh he looked around and started for the city bank and safe to which he asked if he'd be able to set up an account so as to not have to carry all of his gold with him. Now it did take a little finagling and word play for him to get the teller to not cheat him by trying to add fees and miscount the money James finally deposited all but what he'd need to buy supplies later. Which was nice because since it was a loan agency as well they would give him interest for his money just sitting in the account.
From there James headed over to the city's library in search of a wiseman to hopefully help explain what's happening to his son to him.